In late 2023, Bishop Luis Zarama announced an initiative to build a comprehensive diocesan development structure that would coordinate the work of The Foundation, Bishop’s Annual Appeal, and all major gift fundraising under the leadership and administration of a newly created position of Chief Development Officer. As part of this restructuring, the new Chief Development Officer will simultaneously serve as the Executive Director of the Foundation to provide continuity at the Foundation while also facilitating coordination with other development functions within the Diocese of Raleigh.
July 1, 2024, saw the arrival of Dawn M. Stark. In her dual role as Chief Development Officer for the Diocese of Raleigh and Executive Director of The Foundation, Dawn has since led transformative initiatives that have strengthened philanthropic engagement, expanded donor outreach, and advanced the mission of both organizations. Following, in January 2025, Kelley Karpinski joined the team as the Administrative Assistant to support the impactful and meaningful work of both departments.
The mission of The Foundation remains steadfast: to partner with the faithful in uniting their collective vision and financial resources to build a stronger future for the Diocese of Raleigh. As an independently incorporated and administrated entity, The Foundation maintains its status as a separate corporation, undergoing regular audits to ensure transparency and accountability. It remains fully committed to the faithful stewardship of the assets entrusted to its care, honoring donor intentions and adhering to the governance structures and guidelines of its endowments and other funds.
The Foundation is extremely grateful to the diocesan faithful for their ongoing partnership, trust, and generosity. It is through this shared dedication that the important work of The Foundation and the Church thrive for generations to come. As we reflect on God’s grace with faith and hope, there is so much to praise as we recognize with gratitude the collective efforts of all who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to advancing the mission of growing in the Body of Christ in Eastern North Carolina.
Board of Directors
Very Reverend Michael J. Burbeck, V.G.
Board President
Father Michael Burbeck was installed as the Pastor of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish in Cary, NC, in September of 2020. As the Pastor of this Parish, he enjoys serving the people and staff of St. Michael's by creating a shared vision and supporting all to fulfill the mission of discipleship to Jesus in every aspect of parish life.
In July of 2022 Fr. Michael was officially appointed by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Raleigh. Through this role, Fr. Michael assists with direct oversight of the Office of Divine Worship and the Office of Child and Youth Protection. The Office of the Vicar General also provides administrative support to the Vicar for Priests and to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate.
In his spare time he enjoys golfing, reading, and listening to music, especially sacred and classical music.
Dr. Russell C. Elmayan
Board Treasurer
Dr. Russ Elmayan has served the Diocese of Raleigh since 1990 in a variety of roles including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chancellor. He holds MBA and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Duke, as well as a Master of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola and an undergraduate degree from USC. He also serves as Treasurer of the Board of Catholic Charities and previously served for several years on the Board of the Duke Catholic Center. He also serves on the Board of Visitors of Duke Divinity School.
Frank Tortora Esq.
Board Secretary
Frank Tortora is a native North Carolinian who attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his undergraduate studies and The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law for his J.D. Prior to working for the Diocese, Frank was in private practice focusing on real estate, corporate, tax and estate matters. Following private practice, Frank worked at a national title insurance company where he was national underwriting and escrow counsel. Frank began working for the Diocese of Raleigh in 2019 and currently lives in Raleigh with his wife Carrie and three kids.
Kerri Debbs, CFP®
Board Member
Kerrie Debbs brings 39 years of experience in financial services and a decades-long commitment to community service. For Kerrie, financial stewardship is not simply a profession, it is a calling, and one she has directed toward individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and faith-based communities that depend on trusted advice through every stage of their financial journey to fulfill their missions. As a CFP®, Kerrie is held to the highest standards of financial knowledge, ethics and fiduciary responsibility, and she brings these standards to each board, committee, family and institution she serves.
Her professional practice focuses on investment planning, cash flow management and tax strategy for individuals, families and institutions, built on long-term relationships grounded in trust. The discipline she has developed over nearly four decades — gaining an understanding of complex financial structures, anticipating risk and aligning resources with long-term purpose — translates directly into the community nonprofit work she finds meaningful.
Kerrie currently serves as an officer of Legatus of Raleigh, a national organization of Catholic lay business founders and executives dedicated to living and spreading the faith in the marketplace and their personal lives. A devoted Notre Dame alumna, she served on the Board of Directors of the Notre Dame Monogram Club, including as Chair of the Student Welfare & Development Committee, and has led alumni engagement as a Past President of both the ND Club of the Jersey Shore and the ND Club of Eastern North Carolina.
Her faith is the foundation. Shaped through decades of parish and community involvement, Kerrie's faith informs not only how she serves but why. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and MBA from Fordham University and has worked in financial centers from New York and London to Red Bank, NJ, before making Cary, NC her home.
Kerrie is honored to bring her financial expertise, governance experience, and deep Catholic identity to serve as a board member of the Foundation of the Diocese and to contribute to an institution whose mission she holds close to her heart.
Jim De Juneas
Board Member
Jim De Juneas retired from corporate life in 2019 as an Area Vice President for the Rhythm Division of Boston Scientific Corporation, Jim transitioned to a career in family farming as owner and operator of Emmaus Orchard in Ashe County, NC.
A member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh, NC since 2000, Jim currently serves as a member of the Eucharist Minister team to the Catholic patients at Rex Hospital. He has also served as a volunteer and was a member of the Board of Directors at Hope Reins from 2022-2025.
Jim is blessed to be a husband to Laura, father to Christopher and Ainsley and “Pappy” to Theo, Evie and Levi.
He is humbled and honored to serve Christ, Bishop Zarama and the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh as a board member of The Foundation.
Cynthia Hanks
Board Member
Cynthia Hanks holds an MBA and an undergraduate degree in Marketing Management with a minor in Economics. Her professional background includes a leadership role as a Director of Marketing for a Fortune 500 company supporting North America. Additionally, she ranked in the top 2% in sales for a global telecommunications company and successfully negotiated record-breaking contracts. Following her corporate career, she transitioned to managing her family’s business while raising two wonderful daughters in Raleigh. She currently serves as the Vice President at Sapphire CNC, INC.
Cynthia currently serves as the Chair of the Lewis Award Committee, which recognizes teaching excellence within the Diocese of Raleigh. Passionate about Catholic education, she is honored to have been serving on this committee for the past six years.
Outside of her professional work, Cynthia enjoys traveling, golfing, and spending time with her family and her dog in the NC mountains. She has been married for over 30 years and currently resides in Wilmington.
Mike Thelen
Board Member
Mike Thelen is a partner with the Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP law firm in its Raleigh office where he helps clients navigate State and local permitting processes for large development projects and litigates real estate matters throughout North Carolina.
A parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh where his children attend school, Mike coaches the varsity girls’ basketball team, serves on the Parish Finance Council, and is a past chair of the Parish Council.
Mike grew up outside of New York City and is a proud undergraduate and law school alumnus of the University of Notre Dame. Mike, Meghan, and their two daughters live in Raleigh.
Leadership & Staff
Dawn M. Stark
Executive Director
Dawn Stark's impressive 19-year career in advancement began with Mustard Seed Communities, a Catholic international organization dedicated to serving society's most vulnerable populations. She has predominantly worked within school communities, both private and international. Her first major campaign was a $7.5 million project to build a new middle school building at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta, GA, marking her entry into major gift fundraising.
In 2008, while working full time, Dawn pursued an MBA with a focus on Nonprofit Management, which complemented her professional development and led to her earning the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credentials. One of her most notable achievements was leading a $30M dollar fundraising campaign at the Cathedral of Christ the King and Christ the King School in Atlanta, GA which involved constructing a new 50,000 square foot building and renovating four existing structures on an urban campus. Dawn successfully mobilized a large volunteer base to support various fundraising initiatives, including the Annual Fund, Endowment, Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, and others.
In 2019, Dawn took a leap of faith and joined a tier-one international school in Southeast Asia, where she led a multicultural team and experienced significant professional growth. She has also consulted for nonprofits, providing leadership coaching and fundraising expertise. Recently, she obtained a coaching certificate in mindset and life coaching. She enjoys golf, Pilates and spending time with her four-legged companion, Aggie.
Donna Ashcraft
Director of Development
Donna brings extensive fundraising experience to her new role. She has worked in various development and management capacities at the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross. Her experience includes working with major donors, C-level executives, and individual contributors. She has extensive experience building relationships and planning events. Donna’s most recent position was the Senior Regional Director of the American Heart Association in Baton Rouge Louisiana.
Donna and her husband will be relocating back to Raleigh in February to be closer to family. For almost 10 years Donna lived in the Diocese of Raleigh. During that time, she was an active parishioner at St. Luke’s and Our Lady of Lourdes. Donna enjoys a wealth of knowledge of our Diocese as well as many long-term relationships with Diocesan stakeholders.
Kelley Karpinski
Administrative Assistant
Previous Board of Directors
- Timothy A. Mann, Board President
- John W. Byrne, Board Vice-President
- H. Dean Penny, Board Secretary/Treasurer
- Michael Goodmon, Board Member
- Anne W. Stahel, Board Member
- Ricardo Herrera, Board Member